25 WAYS TO GROW YOUR FEMCITY
You don't have to know all of the women to get started. Be strategic with who you want to join your FemCity and don't be afraid to reach out. Here are 25 ways to get the word out.
1. Personally reach out to the 5+ founding members you mentioned in your application. Ask each to personally invite 5 more women to your launch event.
2. Edit your LinkedIn profile title to include, "FemCity {Your City} President" When you change your title, your entire LinkedIn network is notified. Almost like a press release!
3. Post the pre-designed image, "I'm starting a FemCity Community" on your personal +business accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn (image located in FB group files). Then, in a comment, share the link to your FemCity webpage. Tag specific women in comments.
4. Make an announcement of your launch event. Use an image for best results (images in FB group). Post your event registration link as a comment. Tag women you feel would be interested in attending.
5. Facebook groups: Participate in local business groups for women and small business groups on Facebook. Post with the graphic "Why Join FemCity" and start with focusing on 2-3 groups in your community.
6. Recruit a wing woman/ co-conspirator! Do you know one other woman who's ready to go and excited about your FemCity? Ask her to be your wing woman and help get the word out.
7. Text blasts / FB messenger blasts - Use the following verbiage and send to 20+ women individually. It can be by text or by FB message. Hi ______! I thought of you today as I am launching an amazing group for women in business. It's a network/mastermind format I think you would be a great addition.
8. Everyone loves a sale! Send out promo codes when we have a sale for huge savings in joining FemCity.
9. Create a thoughtful series of email messages (that you send individually. Don't send in a group or it may end up in spam).➢ Send first email to announce your new Collective and launch event. Not sure what to say? Start with the sample email we've drafted for you int the Templates page. Send second email as a reminder one week prior to your launch event. Include affiliate link to join.➢ Send a third notice as a reminder and add some FemCity love.
10. Change your headshot photo on all social media platforms and post a comment about your new role leading a FemCity Community.
11. For your launch event, create a Facebook event on your personal or business Facebook page and invite FB friends. Be sure to note RSVP is required at your Femcity.com event link(RSVP on Facebook or elsewhere is not accepted). Ask your core network of 5 women to each invite 5 more. It shows up in news feeds when others are “interested” or “going” and expands the reach like a spiderweb.
12. Create short, simple videos (90 seconds or less) about why you're passionate about leading a FemCity and supporting other women in business in your community. Post them on Instagram and LinkedIn.
13. Use Facebook Live! An article in Entrepreneur magazine says, “When it comes to engagement and sharing, video wins hands-down with social video generating 1,200% more shares than images and text, combined.” Interview your Leadership Board or new Members.
14. Invite Facebook friends to “like” the FemCity Facebook Page. Following our FemCity posts can help to paint the picture for them.
15. Tweet often: Unlike email, most tweets are missed as they flow through the social streams of your audience. Here's a list of reasons to tweet (use images!) and hashtags#nameofyourtown #wearefemcity #femcity #womeninbusiness➢ Announce your new FemCity under your leadership➢ Registration opens: post event registration link➢ Membership discount is ending soon➢ Countdown: “Just X days until the launch event!”➢ Reminder of time and location and RSVP link➢ Thank your event venue (mention venue)➢ “Just saw this month's FemCity worksheet. So excited to work on it together” (mention topic)➢ “See you at the event!” (mention registrants)
16. Find and follow other local women in business on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. When you follow someone, you are likely to get their attention. They may follow back or notice your events.
17. Comment on the posts of others. When the conversation warrants, comment with a short note about your Collective and/or upcoming event. What a great networking opportunity! And, it's complimentary for first time attendees.
18. Interview local women in business and blog about it. Include a link back to your local FemCity webpage.
19. Form a partnership with a venue: They commit to providing you with the location to host your monthly gathering. You bring amazing local business women to their location on a monthly basis and give them good exposure in exchange for their support. Follow each other on all social platforms and cross promote.
20. The FemCity Mantra - post about it! You can find it in our Leader FB group. Tag women who you feel embody the spirit of FemCity, the mantra, and those who you think enjoy supporting women in business.
21. Utilize local media and community calendars. Many local media outlets have their own community calendars. Often, hyper-local news sites let you post events. Find these by searching Google for “event calendars” in your city.
22. Submit your event(s) to industry association sites, including your local chamber of commerce. Extend a personal invitation to the female leaders of the organization(s) to attend your launch event
.23. Talk to people. So much attention is given to social media (just look at this list!). Talk to people in person. Attend local networking events, your local chamber, Meet up groups, and other small business groups.
24. Stop by local businesses that are predominately women-focused, such as hair salons, nail salons, and other places where women are looking to expand their networks (real estate office, clothing boutiques, chiropractor, family-owned restaurants). Drop by with your business card. Invite women to your complimentary launch event! Share the vision of what you are launching.
25. Rinse and repeat! Goal is to fill your FemCity with 25+ business members in 90 days. If you put the effort in upfront, it will pay off. Put time on your calendar in the first few weeks to market and promote your new FemCity community in a wide variety of ways.